What is the Best Habit for Preventing Memory Loss?

Memory is nature’s esteemed gift to humankind. Every morning when we wake up, it reminds us of our existence and purpose in life. We may have no idea, but our ill habits may be damaging our brains, leading to brain diseases and irreversible memory loss.

Memory loss is frightening and can diminish the quality of life. A healthy physical and mental lifestyle is necessary to preserve and maintain our physical and cognitive health. Eating high calorie foods and leading a sedentary life can damage our memory.

Recent research shows that you can take steps to maintain your brain health. Preventive measures may help you keep your memory intact for the years to come. We highlight one such habit out of many habits that will help you slow down age related memory loss and keep the brain thriving and healthy.

Exercise is the key to a vivid memory and a well-toned body. The importance of exercise can never be emphasized on enough. The brain releases neurotrophins, which help in nurturing brain cells and reduce the chances of many cardiovascular diseases.

It escalates the release of serotonin in the brain, which relaxes the mind and alleviates the symptoms of depression. Regular exercise can improve memory and enhance mental performance. According to research, the prefrontal cortex, which control’s your brain’s ability to perform daily mental tasks and medial temporal cortex, which is relates to your memory are larger in individuals who perform exercises as compared to people who lead an inactive life.

According to a Neurology Instructor at Harvard Medical School, even six months of exercise shows a boost in certain areas of the brain stimulating brain performance. Physical exercise prevents Alzheimer by stimulating and regulating the blood flow to the brain and offsets the natural decline in brain performance that occurs with age.

According to another research, one year of aerobic exercise, such as walking in elderly citizens, increased the volume of the hippocampus by 2 percent, which was successful in turning around the age related memory decline by almost two years.

In this study, 120 adults, divided into groups with active and inactive lifestyles aged between 55 to 80 years walked around the track for 40 minutes and performed stretching exercises. Brain scans later in the year showed that the right and the left hemispheres increased by 2.12 percent. These areas in adults, who live a sedentary lifestyle is seen to be increased by 1.43 percent respectively.

According to the University of Pittsburgh, hippocampus atrophy may be inevitable, but the latest research establishes that moderate physical activity can reduce the risk by one year, by increasing the size as the brain remains adjustable at all stages in life.

Research also identified that brain derived neurotropic factors also relate to the increase in the size of the hippocampus region. Different tests of spatial memory showed that aerobic exercise considerably helps in increasing the volume of the hippocampus, further reinstating the facts.

The result of all this research establishes the fact that an improvement in memory is possible with exercise and can trigger healthy brain chemicals. Your memory may get fragile with age and you may need to invest efforts to preserve it.

Exercise is the healthiest habit that can help you enjoy the benefits of both a healthy mind and body. It will nourish your brain to actively participate in challenging activities and will improve critical thinking. Your memory may increase fine motor skills and judgment capabilities.

The growth of new blood vessels and the survival of new brain cells can reduce inflammation and preserve memory.